« Of Aviation Missions and Watch Models »
In 2012, the Solar Impulse aviation project achieved the first intercontinental flight by a solar-powered aircraft. It was a groundbreaking success, and Omega celebrates it with its Speedmaster HB-SIA collection: inspired by the lightweight construction of the solar plane of the same name, the 44.25 mm GMT chronograph with titanium case and carbon fiber dial stands apart from other Speedmaster watches. Dedicated rubber and titanium straps round out its distinctive character.
A Step into a New World: The HB SIA
Launched by Swiss adventurers Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg, the Solar Impulse project first made headlines in 2009: the prototype, bearing the aircraft registration HB SIA (in the ICAO alphabet: "Hotel-Bravo Solar-Impulse-Alpha"), completed a first 30-second flight covering a distance of 350 meters. What sounds modest at first was dramatically surpassed over the following years: as early as 2012, it completed a record nonstop flight of 1,116 kilometers from Payerne, Switzerland, to Madrid, followed by an 830-kilometer intercontinental flight from Madrid to Rabat. A year later came a multi-leg crossing of the United States from California to New York, which conclusively proved the HB SIA's airworthiness.
Just as remarkable as its achievements is the aircraft's construction. Although it weighs a mere 1.6 tonnes and has the fuselage of a small sport plane, its wingspan, needed to house the solar cells, measures an enormous 63.4 meters – matching the dimensions of a four-engine Airbus A340. The result is a highly distinctive silhouette, which is etched into the caseback of the Omega Speedmaster HB-SIA Co-Axial GMT Chronograph as part of a colorful graphic. A fitting cue, because the Swiss watch brand contributed to the mission's success by supplying key technologies. Not only a special instrument for stabilizing the aircraft during landing, but also a test bench and a landing light system came from the Biel-based manufacturer. Omega also made crucial contributions to the successor HB SIB, the mission's second and final solar aircraft, supporting its successful circumnavigation of the globe in 2015 and 2016.
A Lightweight Giant, Individually Numbered
Back to the Speedmaster: the first time you encounter the Omega HB SIA, its generous proportions catch your eye. Its 44.25 mm diameter clearly exceeds the 42 mm of the classic Moonwatch and is paired with a hefty case height of 16 mm. This puts the HB SIA right on the edge of oversized, and it won't easily slip under a shirt cuff. In any case, the substantial titanium chronograph exudes an adventurous spirit that suits casual weekend wear far better than an elegant business outfit. In terms of robustness, the Omega Speedmaster HB-SIA Co-Axial GMT Chronograph offers, in addition to its lightweight titanium case, water resistance to 100 meters and sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides, while the numbering of each piece lends it an individual character. But note: although every HB SIA bears a unique number on the caseback, it is not a limited edition.
Speaking of individuality: there are three straps to choose from in total, with the satin-finished titanium bracelet with polished accents standing out as the most elegant option. If you prefer something softer, you can opt for the black or bright orange rubber strap; both were designed specifically for the Omega HB SIA, and their honeycomb pattern recalls the composite materials of the solar aircraft of the same name. As you would expect, these include the high-tech material carbon, which is integrated into the dial of this large timepiece.
Carbon Dial with a Second Time Zone
Here the parallels to the Moonwatch are obvious: along with the traditional tachymeter bezel, the three subdials also recall the prestigious classic of the Apollo missions. Small seconds, 30-minute and 12-hour counters will look all too familiar to enthusiasts, yet there is no shortage of novelties either. Above all, the carbon dial sets the HB SIA apart from its sister collections and gives it the modernity and sportiness you would expect from the sponsor of a solar aviation mission. The second complication alongside the chronograph is the GMT function, whose hand is tipped with a clever airplane silhouette. Not only a practical feature when traveling, but also a credible nod to the international nature of the aviation project.
Sharper eyes will also notice the modified typeface compared with the Moonwatch. While the latter relies on rather unspectacular, rounded numerals, the angular markings of the HB SIA follow a consistently futuristic direction. From the bezel and the 24-hour scale to the understated date display between four and five o'clock, which almost disappears into the carbon pattern, they deliberately put the innovative character front and center. At the same time, the watch scores with excellent legibility, ensured by the strong contrast between the black carbon fiber and the snow-white hand tips.
Automatic Chronograph with Column Wheel
The HB SIA is powered by Omega caliber 3603, a high-end version of the Valjoux 7750 featuring a column wheel, the brand's signature Co-Axial escapement, and chronometer certification. Self-winding, it delivers a power reserve of 52 hours and greets anyone who opens the solid caseback with fine, albeit machine-applied, decoration including gold inlays. A workhorse as reliable as it is precise, rewarding every press of the chronograph pushers with an excellent tactile feel. The manufacturer's prices for the Omega Speedmaster HB-SIA Co-Axial GMT Chronograph are €7,310 on a rubber strap (references 321.92.44.52.01.003 and 321.92.44.52.01.001) and €7,895 for the titanium version (ref. 321.90.44.52.01.001).
